Draft-equalizer.



No. 694,000. Patented M. 25, 1902.

A. CUGSWELL. mm-"r :numzsn.

(Application filed Sept. 27, 1901.

(No Model.)

5 ca. Pm'rou-ma, wAsumcrom n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT COGSWELL, OF MONTPELIER, OHIO.

DRAFT-EQUALIZER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 694,000, dated February 25,1902. Application filed September 27, 1901. Serial No. 76,764. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT OocswELL, a Citizen of the United States, and a resident of Montpelier, in the county of Williams and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Draft-Equalizers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a draft-equalizer which is primarily adapted for hitching three horses to a wagon or other vehicle; and it consists in the employment of a doubletree and two singletrees and in the manner of connecting the singletrees tothe doubletree, as also in the manner of connecting the draft-chains to said singletrees, whereby a simple and durable device of this char acteris provided and whereby the several connections will effectively equalize the draft of the horses or draft-animals.

The following specification enters into a detail description of my invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to letters thereon which designate the different parts, and what I claim in the particular construction, combination, and arrangement of parts is more specifically set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a three-horse draft-equalizer constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the parts reversed. Fig. 3 is a detail View.

Referring to said drawings, A designates the doubletree, which is provided centrally with a vertical opening a, through which the coupling-pin passes for connecting said doubletree to the hounds of a wagon or other vehicle. At each end of this doubletree are pivotally-connected flat links I) 1), extending laterally from the upper and lower sides of said doubletree and forming the means by which the singletrees, hereinafter described, are connected thereto. The doubletree consists of a flat bar of Wood or other material, and it gradually tapers toward either end in the usual manner,though the particular shape of same may be varied, if desired, it being essential only that the connecting-links b b, hereinbefore referred to, shall have a swinging movement for the purposes hereinafter explained.

C C'designate the singletrees, which are nected to the singletrees a short distance in-' ward from the longitudinal center of said siny gletrees, so that the greater portion of each singletree will be at the outer side when the it is intended that the middle horse shall be connected to the inner ends of both singletrees, While the outside horses are connected to said singletrees, respectively. The inner end of each singletree has pivotally connected thereto plates d d, between the outer ends of which is journaled a grooved roller E, and over said roller is passed a draft-chain F, hav ing hooksfat its outer ends, to which the trace-chains are connected. The outer ends of the singletrees are provided with the usual metal straps c, to which are attached the draft-chains H, having hooks h at their outer ends, the said straps being preferably shaped as shown to give a long bearing.

When the device is used as a three-horse equalizer, the middle horse is attached to one end of the draft-chains F F, and the outside horses are hitched to the other end of said draft-chains and to the draft-chains H, and as the middle horse is attached to the shorter end of the two singletrees the draft of each horse is thereby equalized. It will be noted that the swinging connection of the singletrees to the doubletree and the swinging connection of the roller to the inner end of the singletrees permits the driver to readily detect which horse may be lagging. I

The pivotal connection of the rollers to the ends of the singletrees permits said rollers to be disposed on a line with said singletrees, as shownin Fig. 2, so that the device may be used as an ordinary draft appliance for two horses. In arranging the parts for this purpose the singletrees O are swung around the doubletree A, the chains H are connected to the inner ends of the metal straps c, and one end of the chain F is attached to an intermediate portion of said chain. The plates carrying the rollers E are held on a line with the singletrees by means of pins c. When the device is used as a draft appliance for two horses, a pole is employed, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 2.

It will be readily seen that by the particudevice is used as a three-horse equalizer, as

larconstruction and arrangement of parts as herein shown and described I provide a draft appliance Which is simple in construction, strong, and durable, and that the changes from one form to the other can be quickly and conveniently made.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a draft appliance, the combination, of a doubletree A, links Z) I) pivotally connected to the ends of the doubletree and adapted to be disposed at either side of the same, singletrees pivotally connected to said links, the said connection being made at one side of the center of the singletrees; together with plates pivoted to the shorter end of the singletrees, rollers journaled in the outer end of said plates, and draft chains, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a draft appliance, the combination, of

the doubletree A, links b b pivotally connected to the outer ends of the doubletree and adapted to be disposed at either side of the same, singletrees pivotally connected to said links, the connection being made at one side of the center of said sin gletrees together with plates 01 cl pivoted to the shorter end of the singletrees and provided with holes adjoining the pivot which are adapted to register with holes in the singletroes, rollers journaled in the outer ends of the plates, pins 2 adapted to hold the plates on a line with the singletrees, and draft-chains F and II having hooks at their ends, as herein shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT COGSWELL. Witnesses:

LOUIS WINGAT, JACOB F, WEAVER. 

